The opening thesis of the article is the assumption that discussion on urban public space rarely becomes a pretext to put forward postulates and demands that strengthen the 'system' and contribute to social disintegration. However, improvement of urban public space, mentioned in the title, includes a wide range of concealed and unintended negative consequences. The following can serve as examples: socially unconsulted gentrification programs, policy of administrative overregulation justified by the need to increase public security, standardization of urban space or instrumental treatment of public art.